BRAZIL: "Politicians in prison: who's next?"

Arrests in Brasil are happening at a frenetic pace with a big mixed feeling of enthusiasm and revolt from population.

In September we had the arrests of Guido Mantega (revoked afterwards - former Lula and Dilma finance minister) and Antonio Palocci (former Lula finance minister).

Last month, Eduardo Cunha's arrest (one of the most influential politicians over the last 20 years and former chamber of deputies president)   caused many concern on some  political channels. If a plea bargain goes along with Cunha (it seems Cunha knows many things) a new political "earthquake" may devastate Brazil again.

This November there was the imprisonment of two former Rio de Janeiro governors. Antonio Garotinho (accused of vote buying) and Sergio Cabral (allegedly diverted public funds from government). The estimated loss is around $R 200 million reals.

The Media went crazy by having a lot of news which allows them to "spout its poison" wherever they want. People are claiming for exemplary punishments. Judges build prestige each time some prominent politician is put into jail. Sérgio Moro, the judge and main protagonist of the "lava jato" operation is gaining unprecedent prestige. Some points can be raised. Will we witness fair, prompt and effective trials? Will the judiciary system be reliable and exempt? Who's next in prison?

BRAZIL:Trump got the election. Is it good for Brazil?"

BRAZIL:"Trump got the election. Is it good for Brazil?"

Economy and trading - The Republican party stands for free trade. That would be great for Brazil if it also followed that path. Yet Trump has already enhanced that american trading deals must be renegotiated in order to preserve jobs and reduce the American deficit with the rest of the world.

Immigration - Trump statements over immigration issues have been controversial and rather explored by  media. One must understand it's important to differentiate legal and illegal immigrants. And most of all, those who have criminal records. The entry of new immigrants will depend much on the chances one has of being successful in the US.

Brazil-USA ties: over the last years there was some distance between the two countries. Hillary and Trump didn't speak much about Brazil or even spoke clearly about latin American policies. T rump has been demonstrating signs of unpredictability. Brazil-US ties are diverse. Temer surely wants a more attractive country to International investment, thus the US is a key player to this "new" Brazil, regardless the president's name.

The uncertainty after Trump's election and his political economic guidelines generated the sudden surge of the US dollar. It's over R$ 3,40 even with the intervention by Central Bank.

BRAZIL:"The university admission exam (enem) is just one more warning Brazilian society is awfully segmented"

Last weekend the Enem was held  in all Brazilian states.  Some students weren't able to do it now, because the school or university where the exam should take place was occupied by some students and other individuais who are against the governamental measure which aims restricting federal public spending. 

As usual, there were those who were for and against this assessment test. Some students arrived late to the exam, thus weren't able to do it. The media and some assholes turn this situation into a show event, humiliating the laggards. The compositon subject was about "ways to fight religious intolerance in Brazil". Intolerance is by itself rising in Brazil.

Enem is just one more episode demonstrating how Brazil is divided. Nowadays, what stands out in Brazil is the sharp division among brazilian society, particularly a more radical confrontation between Left and Right.

BRAZIL:"Local elections 2nd round: trends confirmed":

Local elections second round have just confirmed what we have been glimpsing in the first:

● The sharp decline of the workers party (PT). Consequently the conservative forces are gradually gaining ground. This isn't only a consequence of the "lava jato" operation.

● PMDB (Brazilian democratic movement) increase; nevertheless it lost Rio de Janeiro and the old political establishment has seen better days.

● PSDB (Brazilian social democracy party) also improved its results. This 2nd round acknowledges Geraldo Alckmin as the strongest party candidate for the next presidential elections.

● The multitude of  parties in these elections is showing how society is fragmented.

BRAZIL:"The Economy is back on its feet":

Optimism has recently begun to appear. Investiments are returning after a long economic stagnation. Finally the Brazilian economy is starting to show signs of recovery; this will affect in a positive manner not  only companies, but also investors. Consumption increase surely will be the outcome. 

According to magazine "Isto é", one can find several reasons for the resumption.

● Brazil attracted this August us$ 7,2 Billion in investments destined to the productive sector. A much higher investment than in August 2015.

● The 67 billion reals provided for infrastructure has the potential to generate 2,7 million jobs.

● In September, the trade balance had a us$ 3,8 billion surplus, the best recording since 2006.

● More than 60% of the big Brazilian companies have resumed their investments in the last two months.

● Ibovespa (Sao Paolo's stock market) reached  a  64000 score. The biggest level since April 2012.

● After a big drop over the last 4 years, the brazilian market vehicles is expected to grow in 2017.

● Real State releasings increased 70% in August, comparing to the same month of the previous year.

● Analysts and banks are aiming high on the credit recover in 2017.

Thus, we oughtn't get too excited, but if Brazil achieves political stability, somehow economy will rise again next year. Perhaps the worst is over.

BRAZIL: Even the legislative Police is under investigation":

Federal Police has recently launched a new investigation concerning alleged counter-intelligence inside the legislative police from the National Congress.

Some elements of this Police would be allegedly obstructing the "Lava-Jato” (Car Wash) investigations.

BRAZIL:"The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) suspends financing to construction companies":

BNDES announced the suspension of a $4,7 billion payment to finance construction company contracts abroad. These companies are being investigated over the procedure of "the car  wash operation". Therefore, it is recommended to review the contracts taking into account aspects such as the economic viability of the project, compliance costs, accordance with the international practice of hiring and checking the competition in the service provider selection process.